Who is most affected by cuts to public broadcasting? - Marketplace Morning Report

Summary4 min read

Marketplace Morning Report: Who is Most Affected by Cuts to Public Broadcasting?

Release Date: May 26, 2025
Host: Sabri Ben Asure (In place of David Brancaccio)

Overview

In this episode of the Marketplace Morning Report, Sabri Ben Asure delves into the ramifications of President Donald Trump's recent executive order aimed at cutting federal funding for public broadcasting. The report highlights the potential impact on local public radio stations, particularly those serving rural and underserved communities. Additionally, the episode explores the burgeoning representation of Latino stories in Broadway musicals, showcasing the evolving landscape of American theater.

Federal Funding Cuts to Public Broadcasting

President Trump's executive order seeks to eliminate federal funding for Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR), labeling them as "biased and outdated." This move has sparked significant concern among public media organizations and their listeners.

Sabri Ben Asure introduces the issue: "President Donald Trump is pushing to end federal funding for public broadcasting… it's not yet clear if Trump has the legal authority to do that." (02:15)

Impact on Local Public Radio: The Case of KSUT Radio

The episode provides an in-depth look at KSUT Radio in Southwest Colorado, a vital source of information for residents on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation and surrounding areas.

Jim Belcher, the morning host at KSUT, emphasizes the station's role: "KSUT is one of the lifelines that our listeners depend on to get the latest information out." (05:40)
Tammy Graham, KSUT's Executive Director, discusses the funding gap: "Local fundraising can fill some, but not all of the potential federal funding gap. The rest would have to come from cuts to national programming and local reporting." (08:25)
Sheila Naneto, Tribal Radio Manager, highlights the community's reliance on radio: "They turn on the radio to stay connected to their community and the world." (10:50)

Consequences of Funding Cuts

If federal support is withdrawn, KSUT would lose approximately 19% of its $2 million annual budget, posing a significant challenge to its operations. The station serves a politically diverse and rural audience that relies heavily on local reporting for crucial information, especially in areas with limited internet and cell service.

Tammy Graham adds: "For our listeners, it doesn't matter if you're a Republican or Democrat or independent. You rely on information that's coming from local reporters that know the community." (09:10)

Broader Implications for Public Media

The potential cessation of federal funding could extend beyond KSUT, affecting numerous small public radio stations nationwide, particularly those serving rural and indigenous communities. The reduction in funding threatens to diminish local news coverage, exacerbating the issue of "news deserts" where few or no local news outlets exist.

Sabri Ben Asure concludes on this segment: "Cuts to public broadcasting would not only impact national programs like Marketplace but also the essential local reporting that keeps communities informed." (12:30)

Spotlight on Latino Representation in Broadway

Shifting focus, the episode highlights the successful integration of Latino stories and talents in New York City's Broadway scene, reflecting the city's diverse demographic composition.

Jeff London reports on two new musicals, Buena Vista Social Club and Real Women Have Curves, noting their significant Latino audiences: "60% of the people that saw the show at the Atlantic had never been there before… now 32% of our purchasers on Broadway identify as Hispanic." (15:45)
Blanca Lasalle, a marketer for Real Women Have Curves, discusses targeted advertising: "We are doing advertising in the Spanish network and have invited personalities like Lin Manuel Miranda and Gloria Estefan to share their impressions." (18:20)
Alicia Parker, producer of Real Women Have Curves, observes the diverse audience: "You see high school students, Broadway veterans, the Latinx community, and a wider age demographic than typical Broadway shows." (20:05)

Both musicals have received critical acclaim, with multiple Tony nominations, signaling a positive trend towards inclusivity and broader audience engagement in the theater industry.

Conclusion

The episode of Marketplace Morning Report effectively underscores the critical role of public broadcasting in providing essential information to underserved communities, highlighting the immediate threats posed by federal funding cuts. Simultaneously, it celebrates the expanding representation in Broadway, illustrating the dynamic nature of public media and the arts in reflecting America's diverse society.

Listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of how policy changes can ripple through local media landscapes and the importance of sustaining support for public broadcasting to maintain informed and connected communities.

Notable Quotes:

Jim Belcher (KSUT Radio): "KSUT is one of the lifelines that our listeners depend on to get the latest information out." (05:40)
Tammy Graham (KSUT Executive Director): "Local fundraising can fill some, but not all of the potential federal funding gap." (08:25)
Sheila Naneto (Tribal Radio Manager): "They turn on the radio to stay connected to their community and the world." (10:50)
Blanca Lasalle (Marketer): "We are doing advertising in the Spanish network and have invited personalities like Lin Manuel Miranda and Gloria Estefan to share their impressions." (18:20)

For more in-depth coverage and insights, visit Marketplace.org or tune into the Marketplace podcast on your preferred platform.

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No one else, not even us. WhatsApp message privately who's most affected by cuts to public broadcasting? From Marketplace, I'm Sabri Ben Asure in for David Brancaccio, President President Donald Trump is pushing to end federal funding for public broadcasting. In an executive order earlier this month, he called NPR and PBS biased and outdated and instructed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cut them off. It's not yet clear if Trump has the legal authority to do that. Marketplace's parent company, we should say American Public Media, receives CPB funding. So do many of the public radio stations that subscribe to our broadcast shows. Some of the stations that would be most affected are small stations that serve rural audiences. Marketplace's Savannah Peters brings us this this story from Southwest Colorado. Jim Belcher is the very early morning voice of KSUT Radio. Well, this morning I got here about a quarter to four and I don't drink coffee. His daily newscast from the Southern Ute Indian Reservation reaches listeners across the Four Corners region in the Southwest. Good morning. The time is 7:49 and you are tuned in to KSUT today. It includes stories about bills moving through the Colorado legislature, a regional poll on Trump energy policy. As Hannah Merzbach reports, voters are concerned about the implications for public lands. Belcher also delivers updates on winter road closures, evacuation notices during wildfire season. Crucial information and lots of people here don't have cell service or Internet access. KSUT is one of the lifelines that our listeners depend on to get the latest information out. That is something that could be negatively impacted. 19% of KSUT's just under $2 million annual budget comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. If KSUT were to lose that federal support, it's significant and would be very difficult to replace. Tammy Graham is KSUT's executive director. She says the picture President Trump is painting of public media doesn't align with her station or its listening area, which is rural and politically diverse. For our listeners, it doesn't matter if you're a Republican or Democrat or independent. You rely on information that's coming from local reporters that know the community. Graham says local fundraising can fill some, but not all of the potential federal funding gap. The rest would have to come from cuts to national programming, programs like Marketplace, for example, and local reporting. That's the last thing I want to cut because we are in a news desert where there aren't many other local outlets to pick up the slack, especially on the Ute, Navajo and Apache lands that KSUT serves. All right, in the background we have Black Eagle with a song called Dance With Me. You're listening to KSUT Tribal Radio here. Sheila Naneto is the station's tribal radio manager. She says her broadcasts are woven into many listeners routines. I'm thinking about the folks who don't go out of their homes, mainly our elders, you know, they only have business in town once a week, you know, or once a month. Otherwise, Naneto says, they turn on the radio to stay connected to their community and the world. On the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, I'm Savannah Peters for Marketplace. US Markets are closed today in honor of Memorial Day. They reopen tomorrow Tuesday at 9:30am Wall street time. As always, there is a lot to catch up on in the US Economy and we have got you covered with Marketplace in the afternoon and evening. You can hear Rima Krace in for Kai Rysdal later today on many public radio stations or marketplace.org or on podcast. If your job at a healthcare facility includes disinfecting against viruses, you know prevention is the best medicine. And maintaining healthy spaces starts with a healthy cleaning routine. 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That's pro.gofundme.Com in New York, where almost 30% of the population identifies as Hispanic, two Broadway musicals have opened this spring featuring Latino stories, writers and casts. Buena Vista Social Club and Real Women have Curves. As Jeff London reports, the show's producers see in that an opportunity to expand their audiences. When the album Buena Vista Social Club came out in 1996, it was an international hit. Featuring older Cuban musicians playing songs of their youth, the CD captured the imagination of Oren Wolf. My desire to produce this as a musical just came from my love of the album. You know, I'm just like I was a Jewish kid from Cleveland. He got the rights from the album's original producers and the families of the musicians and put together a team to create a stage show about the people who recorded the album. With a budget of $16 million, it was produced off Broadway at the Atlantic Theater last season as a tryout. I never wanted our idea of marketing to a Latin audience or to a Spanish speaking audience to feel ancillary. His team started marketing to Latino audiences very early, and the results both off Broadway and on Broadway have been dramatic. We had extended three times at the Atlantic. 60% of the people that saw the show there had never been to the Atlantic before, which is a massive number for them. And I think now 32% of our purchasers on Broadway now identify as Hispanic. Another $16 million musical, Real Women have Curves, is reaching out to Hispanic audiences as well, says marketer Blanca lasalle. We are doing advertising in the Spanish network, some of the Spanish networks, and we have done a lot of interviews. The show, which is based on the indie film about undocumented Mexican and Central American women working in a garment factory in Los angeles in the 1980s, has been inviting personalities like Lin Manuel Miranda and Gloria Estefan to the show and share their impressions on social media. Producer Alicia Parker says it's been attracting a diverse audience. You see the high school student who's never been to Broadway before. You see the Broadway goer who sees everything. You see the Latinx community. You see every age in a much wider demographic, age wise, that you see in Broadway statistics. Producers of both shows say there may be a chance for collaboration going forward, forward, but first, they need to fill their theaters. In New York. I'm Jeff London from Marketplace. Real women have curves got two Tony nominations, by the way, including best featured actress in a musical and best original score. Buena Vista social club netted 10 nominations, including the coveted nomination for best new musical. The Tony Awards air on Sunday, June 8th in New York. I'm Sabri Benishore with the Marketplace morning report from apm, American Public Media. This Old House has been America's most trusted source for all things DIY and home improvement for decades. And now we're on the radio and on demand. I think you're breaking into this wall. Regardless, I was hoping you wouldn't say that. I need to go and get some. Some whiskey. I think I would get the whiskey for sure. Subscribe to this Old House radio hour from Las Studios. Wherever you get your podcasts.